Rei happily spent her time with Terry at the library from that day onwards, the two girls enjoying all sorts of topics from deep discussions to frivolous time passing subjects. Each day they learned a little more about one another and soon they even spent lunch together. She had divulged to her new friend of her little predicament of the mystery kisser and her list of subjects. She sat there, silently waiting for Rei's response. There was no sign of anything in her expression at first, but slowly her eyebrows knit together.
"I'm sorry, what did you say happened?" Rei asked.
"Someone kissed me and I'm trying to find out who." She summed up, pulling out the list. "I know it sounds weird, but these are the people I saw when I ran after the culprit.
"Whoever this ass is just up and kissed you? And just split? Who the fuck does that?! The moment you find out who they are you let me know!" She slammed her fist onto the table, her chair toppled back on the floor from her jumping to her feet. A sharp tone told them to be silent and Terry quickly had her back in her seat before Rei could react to Seto's scolding.
"I just want to find out who and why...he is one of the four so please don't do anything and tell me what you think of who may have done it?" Terry whispered, hands clapped together in front of her to urge Robin to focus on finding out who first. Reluctantly she picked up the list and read the notes Terry had been jotting down.
"Hm, I highly doubt Jonouchi is anyone you should be too worried about you know." Rei finally spoke up after she reviewed the list Terry had. "You're definitely better off thinking of him as a witness more than anything."
"That's what I figure, it's a gut feeling that he wouldn't even joke about this sort of thing." Terry nodded, sipping her drink. "I don't want to ask him though. He'll get way too overprotective and probably jump to conclusions on who it was...namely blame Kaiba who probably doesn't have a thing to do with it either."
"Well...I don't know about that." Rei hesitantly spoke up. "I feel like, I dunno, this is just my thought though...he asks different with you and that's not a bad thing. However, that's something to take note of too. I've known him longer than you too. I know how he acts with people and the way he reacts to you is just different. You and Yami, I think you guys are just friends and he's probably pulling this off as a gag if it was him...but I really have my bets on Kaiba." She pointed to his name on the paper.
"You really thinks so?"
"Well, he fits the culprit's shoes don't you think? He has access to everywhere here and he can easily hide in any aisle and it not be suspicious. He's also pretty odd when it comes to you, he actually protected you from those girls that were insulting you." She listed. "He has the perfect alibi and that alone is suspicious. Yami and Jonouchi have football (soccer) practice, they would've been tired and probably make a lot more commotion. From the sounds of it, your guy was calm until he started to wake up."
"Hm, I suppose that does make a lot of sense...but why though? Why just up and kiss someone?" She pondered, resting her chin in her hand as she looked over the short list of guys on the paper. Something just was not sitting well with Terry, but she was unsure why. A gut feeling told her that Seto was not someone who would do this and especially to her. But maybe I'm overthinking about him? I mean I barely know him compared to Rei. She wouldn't just throw me in some direction either. She's thinking about this more seriously than I am I think. She just straight up hit the guy. She thought nervously to herself.
"Ichinose wouldn't bother with you, there's now way he would unless he tried poisoning you and failed miserably. Your focus should be Seto Kaiba at this time." She nodded her head firmly as Terry glanced over at the busy tall brunette.
" A better start than any other I suppose. I'll confront him after school today." She nodded her head in affirmation as she took the age and pocketed it once more. "Thanks for your insight." She smiled.
"I'm glad I could help, let me know if I'm right or wrong ok? I doubt it wasn't him, but if by some chance it isn't him I'll help you figure this out!" She thumped her chest lightly for show and Terry smiled.
"I'll definitely keep you posted on it. You'll be here after school right?"
"Yeah, I'm waiting on Sakura and Hikaru again."
"So am I, for Joey and Atem that is. Not just this whole thing right here." She motioned to their general area."
"Oh yeah, they have their first game coming up soon right?" Rei frowned at this information. "Hmm, I hope it's not them so I don't end up beating them up before the game."
"There's no need to beat anyone up, I'm fine." She stressed, laughing it off a little nervously to diffuse the anger that was brewing inside her.
"Hmm, if you say so...but know I have your back." She frowned a little at Terry's insistence. She was not happy at all about the news. If anything she wanted to demand an answer from the one here in the room now. I can't just forcefully take over though. She has a lot of shit on her plate as is...I would be adding more trouble probably.
"I know you have my back if I need support." She grinned, giving a thumbs up to her. "We just have to be patient and wait until after school. The bells going to ring soon, so let's head back." She began to pack her things as she glanced at the clock.
"Oh yeah, we better!" Rei turned to look and began to pack as well. The two are back in class just in time, Atem and Jonouchi walking in behind them from their small meet up with their coach. Terry waved to them, taking her seat as they took theirs. Rei glared at the two a little, but quickly caught herself and played it off as nothing as she stuck her tongue out at them.
The fuck did I do? Is it cause coach called me away? Not like I can help that! He frowned as he glanced at Jonouchi who merely shrugged and looked equally clueless as well. He turned to try and catch Terry's eye but tensed as Kyohei made himself comfortable on her desk. What the fuck does he think he's doing? He was about to walk over there when that pestering little voice in his head popped up again. Perfect timing as always. Oh, and what are you going to do? You'll only cause trouble and she'll end up saving you again because you can't handle your own battles like the wuss you are. Look at her, she probably would prefer talking to him since he's actually a challenge! All you do is hide and pretend to be something you're not! She could not possibly be interested in him right? He was always causing her some sort of trouble. Yeah, because of you. Atem grit his teeth. You're just a pathetic let down, nothing like him and you know it! A useless parasite! It sang on.
Terry looked up at Kyohei, her face lacked any emotion as she raised a brow in question. The odd sensation of her gut twisting was back as she smirked at her.
"Hey there, I haven't seen you around a lot...not hanging with Yami anymore? Did he bore you? I mean, if you want some excitement I can give you all the excitement you need." He purred, reaching out to touch her hair but his hand was smacked away as she glared at him.
"Don't touch me and get off my desk. I don't know what I'd be bored of or why you assume I would be bored of Atem but that's not the case at all. I'm just spending time in the library with some other friends. He's busy with his own things too. So if you're done wasting time, get off my desk and leave me alone. I don't bother you, so don't bother me or him." She sternly spoke not comfortable with him at all and the sudden flicker of some emotion in his brown eyes only had her more guarded.
"Is that how it is? No wonder you have him so interested...well then, you can't blame me if I want to have a taste too right?" He whispered as he hopped off her desk and took his usual seat.
What does he mean by that?! Did he-no, he probably just saw. He would've made a scene about it by now unless he has something planned. This isn't good...I better make sure it wasn't him quickly. Who knows what he plans on doing. She kept her face stoic as she paid his words no mind and picked up her pencil. Kyohei smirked to himself at her response, amused and intrigued all the more.
The only girl to ever fight me...well it won't hold up for long. I know for a fact she's just like any other girl. She's just playing hard to get. He turned to the front to look at the teacher for a moment before he turned his head down and began texting some of the girls in school to pass the time.
The class time flew by, Kyohei and Anzu ditching some time in the middle of it all much to Terry's relief. The two had done everything to distract her from childish antics like flicking paper at her to trying to knock stuff of her desk or shove her in some way. She kept her composure through it all though, not about to let them get the best of her. She had dealt with worse, her patience far greater than they expected and Atem was counting on her too. That was motivation alone for her to do her best.
"Hey," a familiar voice called her out of her thoughts.
"Oh, hey Atem. What's up?" She smiled up at him.
Quit smiling up at me like that...the fuck is wrong with you? Why won't you cry or something? Why...why are you doing all this for me? I just don't get it! I'm an ass to you as is, isn't that enough? Why are you adding more? He screamed in his mind, just wanting to take her up into his arms and scold her. Tell her to stop, but when she smiled like that he lost his words. "You ok?"
"Hm? Oh you saw that stuff? Nothing new, they go back and forth with days of annoying me or not." She laughed off, standing from her seat. Atem raised his hand slightly to cup her cheek but stopped and clenched his fist at his side.
"Yeah, they're real pains in the ass. You don't have to deal with them you know. Not anymore anyway."
"I don't have to, you're right." She nodded her head. The words felt like a cold slap to his face.
So she finally sees your worth! Aren't you pleased? He sneered at himself.
"But I'm not doing it out of a have to for me. I'm doing it because I want to help you. You're my friend and like I said...I'm taking full responsibility for keeping a friend like you." She grinned at him, reminding him of the words they exchanged that day in the hall when they finally spoke after his little screw up.
Because you want to help me? Why...what did I do to deserve help from you? "You did say that didn't you?" He forced a grin on his face as he plopped his hand on her head and ruffled her hair a bit. "Such a weirdo! I plan on keeping you to that word!" He laughed as she fought to move his hand.
"Hey, hey, I am a girl you know! I liked how my hair was today!"
"Well too bad, I was in a hair messing mood today." He chuckled, but helped smoothed out her hair a bit when Jonouchi came over and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"You know we're here for you right?" He looked straight at Terry who happily nodded her head.
"I know, I know. I'll send a signal flare when I need help!" She assured them both. "You both better start heading out though, you'll be late to practice!" She scolded them.
"Yeah, yeah, we're going!" Atem wrinkled his nose as Jonouchi jumped behind him in mock fear of her. The two boys left as Rei walked up to her.
"You really just let those guys walk all over you! You don't deserve that crap!" She puffed her cheeks, Sakura and Hikaru in tow as well.
"Heh, I decided to help. When I decide to do something, I go through with it and see it until the end. That's just how I am."
"You've got a lot more guts than I thought...though I question if that's just actually stupidity at this point." Sakura sighed as Hikaru teared up at the admirable words.
"You have true sportsmanship! It's just so beautiful!" She sobbed and Sakura wrinkled her nose.
"Alright, enough with the water works! We gotta go!" She pushed Hikaru to the door. "We'll see you two after club."
"Haha, alright! See you! Don't cry too much Hikaru!" Rei called out to them as they left and looked to Terry. "Alright, I'm going to find a spot for us to have the perfect stakeout from and you can leave your stuff there." She whispered. "I'll go ahead. Come five minutes after me ok?" She quickly ran ahead, Terry agreeing to follow this plan of action. Once the time was up, she headed to the library once more. It was quiet like always after school. She found Rei quickly and set her things at the table.
"Have you seen him?" She whispered.
"No, maybe we should split up and fake browse around?" Rei suggested. Terry thought for a moment before she nodded her head. "Text me if you spot him and I'll do the same for you." She pointed to her cell and the two split up. It was a bit odd trying to look like she was not looking for someone, looking up and down the aisles of her half of the library. She walked in down some aisles to be a little more convincing. Where could he be? I mean he's the tallest guy in this damn school how is it so hard to find him here?! Rei frowned when her phone vibrated with a single letter from Terry. Did she find him?
Terry was walking down an aisle when she spotted someone and gave a small excuse me as she passed them. It only registered just after who it was and she quickly whipped out her phone to text Rei when someone grabbed her elbow and turned her around.
"Kaiba…?" She glanced up at him and then down to her elbow that he held. He stepped closer, backing her into the shelf.
"I kissed you." The words came out so freely from his lips, it shocked her. Her eyes widened a bit, shocked that he was addressing her about it instead of her asking him. "That day, when you fell asleep reading a book by the window."
So it was Kaiba? Rei was right? She questioned this, something about it was unsettling. It just was not sitting right with her.
"I'm sorry, I don't-" she began to speak as she pulled her elbow from his hand but his other cupped her chin and tilted her head up. She looked back at him, the steel of her grey eyes always getting under his skin. Even now it was troubling him at how she watched everything.
"If the clue you're looking for is a kiss...why not see for yourself?" He whispered as his thumb pressed against her lower lip. He leaned closer to her face and she quickly jerked her head back into the bookshelf.
"W-wait a second Kaiba-ow!" She hissed at the sudden sharp pain some the metal edge of the shelf met the back of her head. He leaned closer still and her heart went into a frenzy ad she tried to find some way to stop him.
"That's my kitten," a sudden voice came from the end of the aisle and the both of them turned to see Atem with an elbow propped on the shelf and his head against his knuckles.
Atem?! What is he doing here? She was surprised by his sudden appearance she forgot how close Seto was to her.
"What are you trying to do to her?" He asked Seto, a hostility in his gaze and a cold smile on his lips before shifting his gaze to Terry. "I wouldn't like it if you let yourself be tamed." His gaze softened a bit at the sight of her, his smile dropped to a frown.